By now, most of us have heard all about the wonders of coconut oil and how to use it in baking and cooking.
However, what about using it in your bathroom cabinet, too?
Used for centuries as a natural beauty product, particularly in countries such as the Philippines, where our oil is made, coconut oil has numerous beauty uses.
Why Is Coconut Oil So Good for The Skin?
Containing vitamin E and rich in lauric acid, as well as capric and caprylic acid, coconut oil is soothing and nourishing for the skin.
We've had many comments from customers who have used this for a variety of skin problems including:
- Nappy rash
- Eczema
- Psoriasis
- Dermatitis
- Dry or flaky skin
How Else Can I Use Coconut Oil?
Coconut oil can be used in so many different ways on the skin – and we always love hearing new ways from our customers and coconut oil lovers.
Natural after-sun – it makes a wonderful after-sun soothing and moisturising sun-kissed skin.
Soothe cracked heels and hands - coconut oil can provide relief from dry or cracked skin, particularly on harder to treat areas such as the feet or hands. Every day use means our feet and hands are often the roughest or driest parts of the body, but a little coconut oil love can go a long way. To treat, apply coconut oil to the area, before wrapping loosely with clingfilm or warm towels and leaving overnight. You can even add a teaspoon of coconut oil to some warm water in a foot or hand bath and let the oil soak into the skin, while you sit and relax.
Body moisturiser - thanks to the chemical structure of coconut oil (it’s made up of medium-chain fatty acids) it’s easily absorbed into the skin. Our skin naturally produces sebum, which is also a medium-chain fatty acid. This sebum helps to lubricate the skin and hair and prevent fungal and bacterial infections. However, sebum can be damaged by everyday things such as washing or through broken skin. Using coconut oil as a moisturiser can help the skin to re-establish this natural chemical barrier, restoring moisture and elasticity.
Nappy rash cream – being free from chemicals and harsh ingredients, we believe that coconut oil is an ideal barrier cream to treat nappy rash naturally.
Cradle cap – this can cause dry, flaky skin on the scalp of little ones. For a natural treatment, try gently massaging coconut oil onto your baby’s head and leaving for around 20 minutes. Simply rinse off and then use a baby brush to remove any loose flakes. The coconut oil moisturises and nourishes the dry skin and effectively removes cradle cap flakes.
Massage oil - our coconut oil makes a brilliant massage oil when warmed between the hands and many parents swear by Lucy Bee coconut oil to massage their babies (a treatment which is renowned for helping to settle colicky babies especially, as well as strengthening the bond between parent and child). Coconut oil works so well because it is easily absorbed into the skin, preventing cracking and moisturising. Because it’s such a stable oil, it also can sit on the skin without causing infections.
Body scrub - if you suffer from dry or dull skin (or use fake tan), coconut oil can make a fantastic, natural body scrub when used with our coconut sugar/bath salts, as it helps to exfoliate the outer layer of dead skin cells, making your skin smoother. For an unbeatable DIY body scrub, simply mix the oil with equal parts of our coconut sugar/bath salt and smooth across skin while in the shower, before washing away.
Post-baby - coconut oil can be used to provide soothing and gentle after care for women post-labour. Not only can it make an effective and gentle treatment to soothe sore or irritated nipples after breast feeding but it can also provide help to soothe skin after birth too.
Stretch marks - many new mums have told us how coconut oil helped improve the appearance of stretch marks (particularly in pregnancy) by helping to keep skin supple and smooth. To use in this way, simply massage onto bare skin before going to bed each night.
Shaving balm – not only does coconut oil make the perfect shaving balm, it also moisturising skin.
Now you’ve heard all about it amazing uses, how do you set about using coconut oil as a beauty treatment?
When you first receive your jar of Lucy Bee Coconut Oil, it will probably be solid, with a (although it will turn liquid in warmer climates, or in hotter weather). To use coconut oil on the skin, take it - either in solid or liquid form - on your palm. Then, rub your palms together and press it gently over the skin of the desired area.
A little also goes a long way and for this reason, you only need to apply a small amount (apply too much and your skin will look shiny!) to create an effective treatment.
About Lucy Bee
Lucy Bee is a lifestyle brand selling food, skincare and soap products all completely free from palm oil and with minimal use of plastic. Lucy Bee is concerned with Fair Trade, organic, ethical and sustainable living, recycling and empowering people to make informed choices and select quality, natural products for their food and their skin.
